AH-1W (China)
| This page is about the Chinese attack helicopter AH-1W (China). For other variants, see AH-1 (Family). |
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Contents
Description
The ␗AH-1W, commonly referred to by its nickname 超級眼鏡蛇 (Super Cobra), is one of the main attack helicopters of the ROCA. To upgrade the ROCA against any potential risks, Taiwan imported a number of AH-1Ws from the US to form the basis of their new attack helicopter brigades in 1992. With upgrades in the 2010s and an abundance of spare parts for up to 12 years, these helicopters are likely to continue being the main component of their helicopter fleet alongside the AH-64E Apache Guardian purchased in the early 2010s.
Introduced in Update "Alpha Strike", the AH-1W has a number of welcome features, such as an onboard autocannon for soft targets, AIM-9Ls, and a large payload of Hellfire missiles. While it might not be as fast or effective in terms of air defence as its PLAGF counterparts, it still boasts high speed and good manoeuvrability, and can serve as a more flexible alternative to the Z-9 series. Additionally, the AH-1W is equipped with a MAW system which will automatically release countermeasures if a heat-seeking missile is launched at the helicopter, and an IRCM system creates jamming for IR missiles' seeker heads.
General info
Flight performance
To further enhance the combat capabilities of the Super Cobra, instead of the standard single-engine on AH-1G/F/S, the Super Cobra has two instead; in this case, two General Electric T700-401 turboshaft engines for the AH-1W variant. This obviously make AH-1W vastly faster than its single-engine cousins and now, faster than its Z-9 Haitun counterparts in PLAGF service; it is heavier than the Z-9 series indeed as a dedicated attack helicopter, but it is not as heavy as "gunships" of Soviet Union/Russia, namely the Hind series.
| Characteristics | Max speed (km/h at _,___ m) |
Max altitude (metres) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | ||
| Stock | 265 | 251 | 6000 |
| Upgraded | 309.6 | 284.8 | |
Survivability and armour
The AH-1W is an armoured attack helicopter offering protection to the crew and engine:
- Composite boron carbide- Kevlar seat enclosures, for both of the crew, with a thickness of 20 mm.
- A steel seat, which offers a thickness of 12 mm for the pilot only.
- Steel plate covers, offering 12 mm of thickness over the turboshaft engine.
The AH-1W compensates with its small size compared to the Mi-24 Hinds which are incredibly well armoured but are huge and much less nimble in comparison. However, the AH-1W does not protect all of its critical components, such as the fuel tanks, transmission, propeller shaft, and control surfaces, with armour plating, nor does it have armoured glass installed around the cockpit.
Modifications and economy
| Flight performance | Survivability | Weaponry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Armaments
| Ballistic Computer | ||
|---|---|---|
| CCIP (Guns) | CCIP (Rockets) | CCIP (Bombs) |
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Offensive armament
The AH-1W (China) is armed with:
- A choice between two presets:
- 1 x 20 mm M197 cannon (750 rpg) + 60 x countermeasures
- 1 x 20 mm M197 cannon + 60 x countermeasures + IRCM
Suspended armament
The AH-1W (China) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 mm M197 cannons (300 rpg) | 1 | 1* | 1* | 1 | |
| FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets | 7, 19 | 7, 19 | 7, 19 | 7, 19 | |
| Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| AGM-114B Hellfire missiles | 2, 4 * | 2, 4 * | |||
| BGM-71D TOW-2 missiles | 2, 4 * | 2, 4 * | |||
| AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles | 1 | 1 | |||
| * Air-to-ground missiles cannot be equipped with gunpods on the adjacent hardpoint | |||||
| Default weapon presets | |
|---|---|
| |
Thanks to the FCS upgrade for the AH-1W series, aside from conventional loadouts identical to AH-1S, AH-1W can now carry AAMs like AIM-9L while carrying more advanced AGM-114B Hellfire, as well as higher caliber Zuni rockets for ground attacks; leaving it more flexible than previous Cobra series.
Usage in battles
Describe the tactics of playing in a helicopter, the features of using the helicopter in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Pleasing armaments
- Fixed autocannon for taking down "soft" targets, a lacking feature for most PLAGF helicopters
- Powerful AIM-9L for higher kill-probability
- Sufficient secondary loadout for different tactics
- TVD for target acquisition
- More protected than PLAGF counterpart at similar tier
- IRCM equipment for more survivability
- Faster than Z-9 series
Cons:
- Less agile than PLAGF counterparts due to the weight
- Lacks more advanced optics with high magnification
- Only two AAMs available which calls for careful, planned launches for best chances
- Early wire-guided ATGM hinders combat capability
History
By 1990s, ROCA only has UH-1H assembled by AIDC as their fleet of helicopters mostly for transport purpose; in view of the establishment of PLAGF Aviation Corps and modernization of ROCA for the potential outbreak of cross-strait war, ROCA "Army Aviation Command and Training Center" (陸軍航空指揮部暨航空訓練中心) started the introduction of attack helicopters in 1992 alongside with their two new army aviation brigades and their OH-58D. The deal was approved in February with 42 AH-1Ws and further 21 helicopters were delivered in 2001, totaled at 63 helicopters imported from US.
Although two helicopters (515; 526) and 4 of their crews were lost throughout its service in ROCA, due to the extremely high cost to replace all AH-1W with more advanced AH-64E and having sufficient spare parts for up to 12 years of use as disclosed in mid-2010s, the AH-1W will now serve alongside with its long-time partner OH-58D at Taichung Xinshe airfield by the 602nd Aviation Brigade, Army Aviation and Special Forces Command to defend Central Taiwan if the worst scenario happens.
Devblog
As the AH-1 Cobra entered service with the Army, the USMC expressed their interest in acquiring Cobras for their own use. However, these Cobras would have to be twin-engined and possess a more capable primary armament to meet the Marines' service requirements. Despite initial hesitation from the Department of Defense, the Marines received the go-ahead and proceeded with awarding Bell with a contract to produce 49 AH-1J Sea Cobras in May 1968.
Similarly to the Army, the USMC also perceived the AH-1 as an interim vehicle, until a more suitable replacement could be found. Whilst this replacement would come to the Army in the form of the AH-64 Apache, the USMC's request to upgrade their fleet with a naval version of the Apache would be met with disapproval by the Congress in 1981, thus forcing the Marines to look into other options. The decision was therefore made to upgrade the existing fleet with new AH-1W Super Cobras, which featured an improved fire control system and the ability to carry more advanced ordnance.
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
- Related development
External links
| Bell Aircraft Corporation | |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | |
| Fighters | P-39N-0 · P-39Q-5 |
| P-400 | |
| P-63A-10 · P-63A-5 · P-63C-5 · ␠Kingcobra | |
| Jet Fighters | P-59A |
| Export | ▂P-39K-1 · ▂Pokryshkin's P-39N-0 · ▂P-39Q-15 · ▄P-39Q-25 |
| ▂P-63A-5 · ▂P-63A-10 · ▂P-63C-5 · ▄P-63C-5 | |
| Helicopters | |
| Attack | AH-1F · AH-1G · AH-1Z · AH-1W |
| OH-58D | |
| Utility | UH-1B · UH-1C · UH-1C XM-30 |
| Export/Licensed | ▅UH-1B · ◄UH-1D |
| Tzefa A · Tzefa B · Tzefa D/E · ▅AH-1S early · ▅AH-1S · ▅AH-1S Kisarazu · ␗AH-1W | |
| ␗OH-58D | |
| See Also | Fuji Heavy Industries · Agusta |
| China helicopters | |
|---|---|
| Attack/Utility | Z-9W · Z-9WA · Z-10 · Z-11WA · Z-19 · Z-19E |
| ␗OH-58D (USA) | |
| Attack | ␗AH-1W (USA) |
| Utility | SA.342L Gazelle (France) |
